Former Minuteman Mike Watt hangs on to his flannel shirts and ‘econo’ lifestyle and gives Matthew Lewis a tour of his down-to-earth ways. This article was published in BigO #148 (April 1998).

Lots of musicians like to say that they take risks in pursuit of their visions, but Mike Watt actually seems to mean it. Despite being on a major label – Columbia – Watt remains defiantly “indie” – or to use his own favourite term, “econo.”

The burly bassist, who turned 40 in December, still tours in his battered Econoline van, and remains rooted in his less-than-fashionable hometown of San Pedro, California. While he could justifiably claim to being among the founding fathers of post-punk, grunge, or “alternative” music, Watt dislikes labels.